Start with your feet.

What you need

• A piece of paper (larger than your foot)
• A pen or pencil
• A rigid ruler (not a tape measure)
• A hard floor (not carpet)

Step by step

• Place the paper on a hard floor and push it against a wall.
• Stand on the paper with your heel firmly against the wall. Stand naturally — don't push your foot forward.
• Mark the longest point of your toes with a pen. Keep the pen vertical for accuracy.
• Measure from the paper edge (wall side) to the mark. This is your foot length.
• Repeat for the other foot. Most people have one foot 2–5mm longer than the other.

Common mistakes

• Adding extra room. Don't add 5–10mm "for comfort." The size chart already accounts for this.
• Measuring on carpet. Soft surfaces compress and give inaccurate readings.
• Using a flexible tape. Tape measures can curve and give readings that are 3–5mm too long.
• Measuring in the morning. Feet swell throughout the day. Measure in the afternoon for the most accurate result.